Arguably the No. 1 challenge of concern in California for the common resident is the state’s rising homeless disaster. And whereas state and native governments proceed to spend hundreds of thousands to deal with and feed the homeless, a Bakersfield constructing contractor is doing his half to assist these in want get again on their toes.

John Sabovich is addressing what he believes is the basis of the issue: habit. By way of a particular work coaching program and sober residing a home, he’s hoping he can provide folks a purpose to remain sober.

In case you go to one among his building websites, you gained’t see something out of the bizarre. At one specific residence renovation in Trabuco Canyon, Sabovich’s crew was laborious at work to get the job finished, however their shared purpose wasn’t the one factor all of them had in frequent.

The members of the development crew all have shared experiences with habit.

Nick Gulley’s habit journey started when he began utilizing “gentle medicine,” like marijuana and mushrooms, across the age of 15. He later began utilizing laborious medicine like cocaine. George Lopez mentioned he grew to become an alcoholic as a child. Michael Sims mentioned he abused each alcohol and medicines regardless of watching first-hand as habit destroyed his household.

Nick, Michael and George are a part of Sabovich’s crew. Every of them went from homeless addicts to working collectively in building. However touring the bumpy street to restoration is one other story.

Sabovich referred to as the scourge of habit and drug abuse a “true epidemic,” and mentioned his private experiences with it led to his mission to assist these males and others like them.

“My daughter had a extreme drug drawback,” Sabovich mentioned. “I had a really distinctive alternative, despite the fact that she was an grownup baby, to intervene. Fortuitously, by way of powerful love, it labored.”

Sabovich mentioned he saved his daughter and is now attempting to avoid wasting others. The constructing contractor by commerce, can be the founder and CEO of the Epiphany Basis — an concept that began with a suggestion.

“I used to be reworking a five-bedroom home and I requested one of many [subcontractors], ‘What do you assume I ought to do with this,’ and he mentioned, ‘Have you considered a sober residing facility?’”

So, John turned a Bakersfield rental property right into a sober home, the place Nick, Michael and George have discovered refuge whereas studying to remain sober. John realized these males, and others like them, wanted extra.

“I regarded round and everyone was sitting round twiddling their thumbs and I mentioned, ‘how is anyone going to go and recover from this habit?’”

That’s when he had the epiphany. He began a piece change program to show these battling habit building abilities. They’re additionally offered an allowance, clothes, room and board, and contains meals.

This system works like a classroom or an apprentice program. Sabovich will work on remodels or repairs and the boys of this system study hands-on abilities.

“The apprentice program is the age-old approach of educating any person the best way to do it,” Sabovich mentioned.

This system is self-supporting and receives no authorities funding by way of tax {dollars}. The lads study marketable building abilities whereas staying sober, and it’s completely voluntary. The lads in this system are there as a result of they wish to be.

For a few of them, their shared experiences coping with homelessness and habit have made it simpler to remain on the correct path.

“I’m studying new abilities I by no means knew earlier than,” Gulley mentioned. “It’s been actually cool to study and develop with a bunch of different guys which have had the identical issues as me, folks with utterly totally different lives however one factor is frequent between all of us, and we are able to all relate to.”

The lads all have a narrative and a purpose associated to their sobriety. Gully’s habit destroyed his marriage. Now, he needs to get clear, and return to Texas the place his younger son lives along with his ex-wife.

“That’s crucial factor to me, getting again to him,” Gully mentioned. “He’s 3 proper now … I do wish to get again and be pretty much as good a dad as I could be.”

Michael Sims mentioned he’s acquired a number of job provides since participating in this system, however in the meanwhile, he plans to give attention to sobriety and serving to the opposite males of this system.

“I should be right here,” Sims mentioned. “I select to remain right here, as a result of I inform these males, ‘I’m dedicated to you guys.’”

George is simply 21 years outdated and has been an addict since a toddler rising up in Ontario. When his girlfriend kicked him out, he ended up in jail for assault, after which was residing homeless on the road.

“I used to be uninterested in residing like that, the lifetime of chasing a beer, I used to be simply sick and bored with it,” Lopez mentioned.

He mentioned the experiences he’s realized whereas being in this system will assist him get his life collectively.

“I do know I’m going to get again on my toes,” mentioned Lopez. “I’m assured that I’m going to remain sober.”

Whereas Lopez mentioned he has reconnected along with his mom in Ontario, Sims, who grew up in Santa Maria, is one other story. The 45-year-old recovering addict whose father, brother and spouse all died of drug or alcohol habit has now begun repairing the connection along with his 5 kids and several other grandchildren. He has not but been in a position to get by way of to his mom, who he says won’t reply his calls.

“I don’t know the best way to make it proper, and that bothers me, as a result of I really like her,” Sims mentioned. “I want I might go there and provides her a hug and inform her I’m sorry, as a result of I didn’t get that likelihood with my dad.”

Different members of Sims’ household mentioned they hope his work in this system will result in the primary steps in repairing their relationship.

If you wish to study extra in regards to the Epiphany Basis and its sober residing residence, go to their web site or name 1-866-240-1100.